Overview

The Namanga One Stop Border Post (OSBP) is a joint border crossing facility between Tanzania and Kenya, it is one of the busiest border crossings between the two countries. Prior to the opening of the OSBP, it could take up to two days to clear customs at the Namanga border crossing, average crossing times are now 30 minutes. Introduction of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) included improvements in the road infrastructure and simplification of the customs procedures. Namanga OSBP has very good infrastructure housed in a modern building with good facilities, ample parking available and very good road to Arusha. Inspection is conducted by a multiagency team resulting in smooth processing and quick flow of traffic and no matter from which side of the border the crossing takes place there is only a requirement for customs procedure to take place at the point of entry reducing the customs/immigration administrative process in half.

Daily Capacity

The level of traffic flow reported for 2022/23 FY was:

• Numbers of Trucks – 150- 200 Per Day 
• Numbers of Cars – 50/60 PER DAY 
• PASSENGER BUSES- 6-8 tourist buses and local 6 passenger buses Per Day 
• TONNAGE:  2116MT export and 381MT import average Per Day 

The OSBP is well designed with good traffic management, cars have a separate traffic flow to trucks, there is plenty of parking for trucks and busses with separate parkin areas for cars. Namanga OSBP has good road surfaces with excellent drainage allowing the post to continue to operate smoothly even during heavy rain. The customs post is large with desks clearly marked in English and Swahili.

Customs Clearance

The biggest cause of delays reported was due to incorrect paperwork. Additional reasons for potential delay are the importation of restricted items which require inspection by specialist agencies such as the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission which would not be part of the multiagency inspection team which normally operates at the OSBP.

Under Single Customs Territory, five Partner States: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda are regarded as one Customs Territory which means only one Customs declaration is made in the Country at which goods are consigned. This requires only one Customs declaration that will be made in Tanzania and applied across EAC. Declaration will be processed in Tanzania and tax payment, or bond guarantee will be made accordingly. The TRA has developed a number of online tools to help businesses comply with customs requirements. These tools include;

• Tanzania Integrated Customs Management System (TANCIS): TANCIS is a web-based system that allows businesses to lodge customs declarations and pay customs duties and taxes online. 
• Tanzania Customs Information Portal (TCIP): The TCIP is a web-based portal that provides businesses with access to information on customs procedures, regulations, and tariffs. 

Standard documents are required for the custom clearance including invoice, packing list, permits, and the contract signed between the customer and the clearance agent, if any. The truck driver has to present a valid passport to the authority. The fees vary in function of the origin, destination, and the number of axles. Fees (USD per truck) road use USD 10 per 100km per truck of more than 3 axel, if less than 3 axel is USD 6 per 100km. Small vehicles fees are mainly based on the length of the journey in Tanzania.  

Other Relevant Information

Import procedures have to be followed in order to clear goods as per the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) 2004. The documentation process is done online through Tanzania Customs Integrated System (TANCIS) for imports and exports and can be completed before arrival of the goods. Customs agents lodge the documents in the clearance system i.e. Tanzania Customs Integrated System Mainland attaching all other relevant import supporting documents, Agents are urged to lodge such documents at least 7 days before arrival of the goods. Pre – Arrival Declaration is a facility in the clearance system which allows the Importer/Agent to start the clearance procedures of the goods before the arrival of the goods at the entry point.

For more information on customs in Tanzania, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information and 4.1 Government Contact List.